Edinburgh Gallery Society has launched its second annual Summer Show since setting up in 2020. This is actually their third group exhibition overall, and the biggest yet, following the successful RE-KNEW-ED in January 2022, an exhibition reflecting on the pandemic.
The aim of the Edinburgh Gallery Society is to create a contemporary student-led art community within Edinburgh and the university, to represent a spectrum of local artists across painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and performance. The Summer Show has over 70 artists involved and 125 submission applications received. Many are students of Edinburgh College of Art but the exhibitions are also open to amateur artists and the under-represented, allowing artists to showcase their work in a professional art environment. Through Edinburgh Palette, which creates community hubs for artists, St Margaret’s House gallery is a unique space to celebrate the achievements of artist members and to show a diversity of experiences, identities and voices.
Frankie Moses, ‘Searching’
Lucas McGregor, ‘You Are Here’, mixed media on board
Haz Williams, ‘Garden of Eden’, acrylic on wood
Jo Fleming Smith, ‘Winter Skies’, spraypaint, acrylic, flashe, marble dust, glass and fishing wire on canvas
Catriona Clark, ‘Sweethearts’, acrylic on PLA and aluminiumFor this Summer Show exhibition, the Edinburgh Gallery Society is also collaborating with three Edinburgh-based creative groups, each curating a smaller sub-section of the exhibition. Each group has creative freedom to curate on a theme, allowing space for a diverse group of artists to be represented.
The Hen Collective is a women-led group supporting low-income women and non-binary artists in Edinburgh. This curated section celebrates under-represented gender identities, traditionally excluded from the history of art and the art market.
‘Third Culture’, conceived by Nishi Chodimella, represents students who can identify as ‘third culture’ – a complex cultural identity that could be both informed and conflicted by mixed cultural background and their birth culture. The works curated here are by artists who address their experiences and identity as ‘third culture’.
HEADACHE Magazine is an Edinburgh-based independent arts community supporting new photographers, artists and writers through print, digital, events and exhibitions. Their curated section includes photography, print, and fashion design with an environmental slant.
The Hen Collective at Edinburgh Gallery Society Summer Show
Laura Jane McKeown, ‘Never Trust the Living’, ink and acrylic on canvas
Laura J Hegarty, ‘Untitled’, oil on canvas
Lucy Smith, ‘Guilt’, acrylic and oil on canvas
Lauren Browne, ‘A Score’, mixed media on wooden board
Lulu Wood, ‘Midsummer Night’s Green’
Libby Entwhistle, ‘A Place Where Bad Things Can’t Happen Because Bad Men Don’t Exist’, oil and sublimation print on canvas
Cathy Bullock, ‘Replenish’, charcoal on paper
Elsa Ritchie, ‘unnoticed Cinders’, charcoal on paperThis week-long exhibition is accompanied by a series of special events taking place on-site, including life drawing (11th May 7-8.30), film screenings and a talk from artist Hannah Benassi (10th May 5-6:30pm). Benassi will be sharing advice on finding your feet as an artist after art college.
Keep an eye on Edinburgh Gallery Society Instagram page for further event announcements and details of closing night tickets. This week-long exhibition is brimming with vibrant, thought-provoking artworks. Check it out before it ends on 13th May.
